A £1 million investment in a state-of-the-art baler machine is set to transform Swindon’s recycling efforts, enhancing efficiency and pushing the town towards greener practices.
The new baler, located at Cheney Manor Industrial Estate, processes dry recyclable materials such as plastics and metals by compressing them into bales for easy storage and sale.
Swindon Borough Council hopes this will significantly increase the town’s recycling rate, currently lagging at 38%, far below the government’s 65% target.
The baler allows for on-site sorting, simplifying the recycling process. Once sorted into materials like plastic, tin, and aluminium, the waste is compressed into compact bales worth £400 to £500 each.
By boosting the value of recyclable materials, the council expects the machine to quickly recover its costs while delivering long-term environmental and financial benefits.
The baler forms part of Swindon’s broader waste management overhaul, which includes plans to roll out food waste collections for flat-dwelling residents in early 2025.
Additionally, adjustments to bin collection schedules aim to prevent backlogs like those experienced during Christmas 2023, ensuring smoother waste collection for Swindon households.
